title: The six-minute walk test cannot predict peak cardiopulmonary fitness in ambulatory adolescents and young adults with cerebral palsy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) is predictive of peak oxygen consumption (Vo(2)peak) and whether the 6MWT is a clinically applicable alternative to cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) in ambulatory adolescents and young adults with cerebral palsy (CP).
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional.
  
  
  METHODS
  University hospital and rehabilitation centers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Adolescents and young adults with CP (N=41) classified in Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level I or II.
  
  
  METHODS
  Not applicable.
  
  
  METHODS
  The covered distance during 6 minutes was measured with a 6MWT. The Vo(2)peak was obtained with CPET on a cycle ergometer.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Univariate linear regression analysis was used to study the relationship between the outcomes of both tests. A multiple linear regression analysis was performed to determine whether Vo(2)peak could be predicted by the 6MWT, sex, body mass, and GMFCS level. A significant relationship (P<.01) was found between the outcomes of the 6MWT and CPET, with an explained variance of 21%. The multiple linear regression analysis showed an explained variance of 58% and a standard error of estimate (SEE) corresponding to 18% of the mean Vo(2)peak.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The 6MWT is poorly related to Vo(2)peak in ambulatory adolescents and young adults with CP. Because of a high SEE, the multiple regression model did not allow for prediction of Vo(2)peak from the 6MWT in ambulatory adolescents and young adults with CP.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine and Physical Therapy, Research Lines MoveFit & Transition Into Adulthood, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Electronic address: j.slaman@erasmusmc.nl.
authors.forename: Jorrit
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Slaman
authors.forename: Annet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dallmeijer
authors.forename: Henk
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Stam
authors.forename: Heleen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Russchen
authors.forename: Marij
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Roebroeck
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: van den Berg-Emons
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods*; D017079:Exercise Tolerance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: 6-minute walk test; 6MWT; CP; CPET; Cardiopulmonary exercise test; GMFCS; Gross Motor Function Classification System; Physical fitness; Rehabilitation; SEE; Vo(2)peak; cardiopulmonary exercise testing; cerebral palsy; peak oxygen consumption; standard error of estimate